Massachusetts law about occupational licensing

Laws, regulations, and web sources on occupational licensing in Massachusetts.

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Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 13 Division and boards of registration

• MGL c. 13, § 8 Division of occupational licensure

MGL c. 30A, § 13 Licenses; revocation, etc.
The licensing section of the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act.

MGL c. 112 Registration of certain professions and occupations

MGL c. 147, §§ 23-25 Private detective and watch, guard, patrol licenses

St. 2021, c. 39 An Act reorganizing certain licensing agencies of the Executive Department
Changes the name of the Division of Professional Licensure to the Division of Occupational Licensure, and transitions oversight of most health licensing agencies to the Department of Public Health.

St. 2024, c. 285, § 11 Alcohol and drug counselors; recovery coaches (MGL c. 111J) (effective March 23, 2025)

St. 2024, c. 343, § 37 Licensing and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (MGL c. 176Y) (effective April 8, 2025)

St. 2024, c. 353 An act prohibiting license revocation for student loan default (effective January 8, 2025)

Massachusetts regulations

230-270 CMR Division of Occupational Licensure, and various Boards overseeing registration of certain professions and occupations

Selected cases

Com. v. Plaisted, 148 Mass. 375 (1889)
"Under a power to regulate, the requirement to take out a license is free from legal objection . . . And where a license is lawfully required, a small fee may be imposed, not designed for revenue, but to cover reasonable expenses incident to enforcement of the rules."

Web sources

"Article 87 board transition from DOL to DPH frequently asked questions (FAQ)", Mass. Dept. of Public Health, 9/23/22.
Explains the 2022 Transition of most health licensing boards in the Commonwealth from the Department of Occupational Licensure to the Department of Public Health.

Contact a Division of Occupational Licensure board
Phone numbers and email addresses for boards and commissions that are regulated by the Division of Occupational Licensure.

Check an occupational board license
Use this link to check the licenses issued by boards overseen by the Division of Occupational Licensure. The site also provides a link to "Check a license issued by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI)". OPSI regulates areas from amusements to construction supervisors to refrigerator technicians. The DOL is responsible for oversight of OPSI.

As of January 1st, 2023, most health licensing Boards of Registration have transitioned to the Department of Public Health. Health licenses and registrations in the state of Massachusetts can be checked at the Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) License Verification Site.

Division of Occupational Licensure
"The Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), through its boards and offices, licenses and regulates more than 500,000 individuals, businesses, and schools to engage in over 100 trades and professions in Massachusetts." Scroll down for links to the websites of Boards regulated by the Division of Occupational Licensure.

Manual for conducting administrative adjudicatory proceedings, by Robert Quinlan, Asst. Atty. General, 2012 edition.
Provides guidance from 2012 to members of boards of registration participating in adjudicatory proceedings.

Professional licenses & permits, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lists categories of employment that require licensing by the state with links to agencies. Includes additional occupations not regulated by the Division of Occupational Licensure and the Department of Public Health.

Print sources

Administrative law and practice, 2^nd ed. (Mass. Practice v. 39) Thomson Reuters, 2016 with supplement.
Chapter 13 State Licensing: I. Licenses and Licensing, II. Professional and Occupational Licensing.

Appellate practice and procedure, 4^th ed. (Mass, Practice v. 41) Thomson Reuters, 2020 with supplement.
Section 23:53 Appeals from boards of registration suspension or revocation of professional license.

Last updated:	February 5, 2025